EXAMINING DAIRY FARM CONSTRAINTS: INVESTIGATING THE CHALLENGES AND LIMITATIONS FACED BY TAMIL NADU DAIRY FARMERS

Abstract

This study investigates the constraints faced by dairy farmers in the Erode, Tirupur, and Coimbatore districts of Tamil Nadu, India. Through face-to-face interviews with 60 respondents, the research uncovers the varying levels of limitations experienced by these farmers in their dairy farming activities. The findings reveal that the majority of the respondents face medium-level constraints, while others experience high or low levels of limitations. Key constraints identified include the unavailability of green fodder year-round, high costs of cattle feed and mineral mixtures, and a lack of community grazing land. In terms of breeding challenges, respondents identified the distance to artificial insemination centers and hospitals as the most significant constraint. Additionally, healthcare management for dairy animals revealed that the vulnerability of crossbred animals to diseases, lack of knowledge about disease prevention, and high costs of medicine were the most critical constraints faced by the farmers. Infrastructure limitations, such as the lack of available labor, insurance facilities, and distance to dairy cooperative societies, were also cited as significant constraints. Financial challenges, including the high cost of crossbred dairy animals, non-availability of capital and loans at the proper time, and high interest rates, were also reported to be major constraints faced by the respondents. Marketing challenges included unremunerative prices for milk, distance to milk societies, and exploitation by middlemen or milkmen. Lastly, socio-psychological constraints, like a lack of purchasing power and risk-bearing capacity, were identified as significant limitations for the dairy farmers in Tamil Nadu. The study recommends the creation of mobile veterinary units and capacity building for farmers through government and extension institutions to address these issues.